To blow the whistle on someone is to alert a third party what that person has done, or is doing, something wrong. So, literally, “whistle-blowing” means that one makes a noise to alert others to misconduct.

By blowing the whistle on misconduct in an organization, one alerts the organization to the fact that its stakeholders are being wrongfully harmed, or that they are at risk of harm.

On what should one blow the whistle? What is reportable misconduct?

Any serious concerns you may have about any aspect of the operations within the organization, including the Staff, Management and Board, or those who work with them, can be reported under this channel. This may be conduct that:

• is against the organization’s governing rules, procedures, and policies, or established standards of practice;

• amounts to improper, unethical, or unlawful conduct;

• amounts to waste of the organization’s resources;

• represents a danger in the workplace;

• Creates fraud in, on or by the organization;

• include offering, taking or soliciting bribes

• amounts to an attempt to cover up any of these types of actions.

A conduct becomes reportable when it happens or when it is reasonably likely to occur.

How do I report a misconduct?

There are a few channels available to you to blow the whistle on misconduct in the organization. This includes:

Tricor Roots, as the administrator of the WE-Care service for your organization, wishes to assure the safety of whistle-blowing, and therefore undertakes to treat all whistle-blowing reports with utmost confidentiality and anonymity. The choice to remain anonymous or to reveal the identity for blowing the whistle is that of the whistle-blower alone.

What is confidential Whistle-blowing?

A whistle-blower may choose to reveal his or her identity when a report or disclosure is made. Should this be the case, Tricor Roots will respect and protect the confidentiality of the whistle-blower, and gives the assurance that it will not reveal the identity of the whistle-blower to any third party. Disclosure of identity is not mandatory to register a case.

The only exception to this assurance relates to an overriding legal obligation to breach confidentiality. Thus, Tricor Roots may be obligated to reveal any confidential information relating to a whistle-blowing report if ordered to do so by a court of law.

What is anonymous Whistle-blowing?

Alternative to confidential reporting, a whistle-blower may choose not to reveal his or her identity. With the whistle-blower’s anonymity assured, the identity of the whistle-blower cannot be ascertained by anyone. This advantage to the whistle-blower is counter-balanced by a disadvantage to Tricor Roots, namely, that it compromises further investigation of the facts. The anonymous whistle-blower should be careful not to reveal his or her identity to a third party. By setting up the necessary systems safeguarding confidentiality and offering anonymity, the interests of the whistle-blower are protected from possible harm through retribution by those who stand to benefit from the reported misconduct.

Procedures following Whistle-blowing

Tricor Roots is committed to investigating and addressing all cases of reported misconduct.
To this end, the Whistle-blowing Procedures for the organization sets out all the steps that are followed upon receipt of a report.

Tricor Roots is dedicated to provide a confidential, anonymous and safe avenue for which misconduct is reported. Should you have any concerns, please speak to one of our Advisors at 1700-81-5333 during office hours.